Bracket and Method for Transport of Articulated Arm Attachment

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides for a bracket assembly mountable to an articulated arm. The mountable bracket assembly allows for efficient transfer of a working end attachment while causing minimal or no incidental environmental damage during the loading/unloading process. The bracket assembly comprises a mounting assembly mounted to the underside side of an articulated arm and a pivot piece assembly pivotally mounted to the mounting assembly. An optional stabilizer is dimensionally fabricated to effectively capture and stabilize a portion of the working end attachment when positioned for transport.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the transfer to a jobsite of additional attachments for use with hydraulically operated machines and in particular, to a bracket for use with a hydraulically operated articulating arm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hydraulically operated machines are used extensively in the excavation and construction industries to efficiently remove, move and replace large or heavy quantities of materials. Commonly used hydraulically operated machines include hydraulic excavators, backhoes-front end loaders, and shovels, both tracked and wheeled. Common to these hydraulically operated machines is an articulating arm attached at a base end to the machine body, the articulating arm having an operating attachment at its opposite or “working” end.

Many types of working end operating attachments have been developed to increase the usefulness of hydraulically operated machines for both excavation and as a way to move material in and around a construction site. To fully utilize the capabilities of these hydraulically operated machines, a machine owner will commonly maintain several different types of working end attachments, for example, a trenching or digging bucket, a ditching or finishing bucket, and a hydraulic rock hammer, drill or tamper. Hydraulic rock hammers, drills and tampers have become increasingly popular as the use of explosives has become more and more restricted. A myriad of quick coupling devices have been developed to allow for quick easy on-site replacement of one working end attachment type for another.

Generally, working end attachments have been transported to the job site in the front loader bucket of, for example, a backhoe-front end loader. The loading and unloading of these attachments into the front loader bucket requires considerable assistance and manipulation with concomitant safety issues. Often the ground upon which the working end attachment lays prior to its loading into the loader bucket is frequently dug up or damaged during the loading process as the working end attachment is scooped off the ground into the loader bucket. Likewise, the unloading operation often causes similar ground damage. This problem is particularly acute when work is being done in finished areas such as paved streets, commercial zones and residential neighborhoods.

Accordingly, there is still a continuing need for improved methods and devices to more safely and efficiently transport working end attachments with minimal incidental environmental damage. The present invention fulfills this need and further provides related advantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for a bracket mountable to a hydraulically operated machine. The mountable bracket allows for efficient transfer of a working end attachment while causing minimal or no incidental environmental damage during the loading/unloading process.

The bracket comprises a mounting assembly having a cylinder offset from a plate by at least one spacer an effective distance such that when the mounting assembly is mounted to a hydraulically operated machine articulated arm, a pivot piece assembly mounted to the mounting assembly is free to effectively pivot.

The pivot piece assembly comprises two substantially “J” shaped halves separated by a cross member. A pivot pin orifice is fabricated into each long arm terminal end and aligned such that that a pivot pin pivotally mounts the pivot piece assembly to the mounting assembly cylinder.

An optional stabilizer is dimensionally fabricated to effectively capture and stabilize a portion of the working end attachment when positioned for transport.

In a first embodiment the bracket is permanently mounted to the articulated arm.

In a second embodiment, the bracket is removably mounted to the articulated arm.

A third embodiment comprises the method of transporting a working end attachment using the bracket of the present invention.

One advantage of the present invention is its minimal number of parts and the minimal increase in the operating weight of the hydraulically operated machine to which it is installed allowing for simple, cost effective and trouble free transport of a working end attachment.

Still another advantage is the ability to load and unload a working end attachment with minimal damage to the surrounding environment.

Yet another advantage is the increased safety to surrounding workers.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the mounting assembly, pivot piece assembly and stabilizer.

FIG. 2 is an oblique view of the pivot piece assembly pivotally mounted to the mounting assembly.

FIG. 3 is an oblique view of the bracket installed on a backhoe-front end loader with a working end attachment in position for transport.

FIGS. 4 through 6 are sequential depictions of a working end attachment being engaged and readied for transport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Bracket 2 of the present invention is installable to any type of machine having an articulated arm. For ease of understanding, the figures of the following exemplar describes bracket 2 mountable to a hydraulically operated backhoe-front end loader articulated arm being used to transport a hydro hammer attachment. However, its use is not limited to this particular combination of machine and working end attachment.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, bracket 2 comprises three major structural components: mounting assembly 4, pivot piece assembly 6, and optional stabilizer 8.

Mounting assembly 4, mounted to the underside of articulated arm 16 (FIG. 3), comprises cylinder 10. Although cylinder 10 may be mounted directly to articulated arm 16, in a preferred embodiment, mounting assembly 4 further comprises cylinder 10 mounted to plate 12, and most preferably, cylinder 10 is offset from plate 12 by at least one spacer 14. Optionally, at least one mounting orifice 18 is fabricated into plate 12.

Pivot piece assembly 6 comprises two substantially “J” shaped halves 20 separated by cross member 30. Pivot pin orifice 24 is fabricated into each long arm terminal end 26 and aligned such that that pivot pin 28 pivotally mounts pivot piece assembly 6 to mounting assembly cylinder 10 by passing through pivot pin orifices 24 and cylinder 10. Preferably, pivot piece assembly 6 and mounting assembly cylinder 10 are reciprocally dimensioned to effectively minimize space between cylinder 10 and long arm terminal end 26, yet allow for free rotation.

In a preferred embodiment, first cross member 30 is positioned at short arm terminal end 32. Second cross member 34 is positioned on long arm 36 substantially opposite first cross member 30 such that retaining pin 38 can pass through retaining pin orifices 40 fabricated into each cross member 30, 34.

Optional stabilizer 8 is dimensionally fabricated to effectively capture and stabilize a portion of working end attachment 42 (FIG. 3). Optionally, at least one mounting orifice 18 is fabricated into stabilizer 8. In a preferred embodiment, stabilizer 8 is substantially U-shaped and dimensioned to prevent lateral movement of captured working end attachment 42 when positioned for transport, described in detail below.

Optionally, one or both of pivot pin 28 and retaining pin 38 comprise one or both of handle 44 at a first end for easy insertion and removal, and a retainer attachment 46, for example, a clevis pin, at a second end for preventing inadvertent removal of pins 28, 38.

Turning to FIGS. 4 through 6, bracket 2 operates as follows. Mounting assembly 4 and stabilizer 8 (if present) are either permanently mounted to articulating arm 16, for example, by welding, or removably mounted to articulating arm 16, for example, by bolting through mounting orifice 18, and positioned to effectively allow captured working end attachment 42 to remain free of the ground during transport. Once mounting assembly 4 is mounted, pivot piece assembly 6 is pivotally mounted to mounted mounting assembly 4 using pivot pin 28. In the exemplar, pivot piece assembly 6 is mounted with short arm 50 facing towards hydraulically operated machine 48. Depending on the working attachment being transported, pivot piece assembly 6 may be mounted with short arm 50 facing away from hydraulically operated machine 48. Such would be the case when transporting, for example, a bucket.

To load working end attachment 42 for transport, as hydraulically operated machine 48 approaches working end attachment 42 which is lying on the ground, articulating arm 16 is extended such that pivot piece assembly 6 extends beyond pivot piece assembly receiver 52 located on working end attachment 42. Pivot piece assembly receiver 52 may be, for example, the rod, cylinder or other attachment point used to mount the working end attachment 42 to the articulating arm 16. As articulating arm 16 extends, pivot piece assembly 6 rotates to continually hang substantially vertically. Once pivot piece assembly 6 is beyond pivot piece assembly receiver 52, hydraulically operated machine 48 and articulating arm 16 are maneuvered to engage pivot piece assembly receiver 52 within the “U” of pivot piece assembly 6.

Articulating arm 16 is brought to its upright position, thereby lifting working end attachment 42 fully off the ground. As articulating arm 16 is brought to a substantially vertical position, pivot piece assembly rotates to maintain engagement of working end attachment 42, eventually causing working end attachment 42 to engage stabilizer 8, if present. Optional retaining pin 38 is inserted to prevent inadvertent disengagement of working end attachment 42 during transport. If desired, the working end of articulated arm 16 may be utilized to provide further stabilization to working end attachment 42 during transport.

To unload working end attachment 42 following transport, the above sequence is reversed. Mounting assembly 4, and/or pivot piece assembly 6, and/or optional stabilizer 8, if present, may remain attached to articulating arm 16 for future transport of working end attachment 42, or one or all may be removed if operating conditions so require.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific examples and embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is capable of other variations and modifications within its scope. These examples and embodiments are intended as typical of, rather than in any way limiting on, the scope of the present invention as presented in the appended claims. 

1. A bracket assembly for transporting an articulated arm working end attachment comprising: a mounting assembly for mounting to the underside of an articulated arm; and a pivot piece assembly pivotally attached to the mounting assembly for rotatably engaging the working end attachment.
 2. The bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the mounting assembly comprises a cylinder.
 3. The bracket assembly of claim 2 wherein the cylinder is mounted to a plate for mounting to the underside of the articulated arm.
 4. The bracket assembly of claim 3 wherein the cylinder is offset from the plate using at least one spacer.
 5. The bracket assembly of claim 3 wherein the plate further includes at least one mounting orifice.
 6. The bracket assembly of claim 2 wherein the pivot piece assembly comprises two halves separated by at least one cross member, each half having a pivot pin orifice for receiving a pivot pin to pivotally attach the pivot piece assembly to the cylinder.
 7. The bracket assembly of claim 6 wherein the pivot pin includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of a handle and a retainer attachment.
 8. The bracket assembly of claim 6 wherein a first and second cross member each contain a retaining pin orifice for receiving a retaining pin.
 9. The bracket assembly of claim 8 wherein the retaining pin includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of a handle and a retainer attachment.
 10. The bracket assembly of claim 1 wherein the pivot piece assembly profile is in the form of a shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially J shape and a substantially U shape.
 11. The bracket assembly of claim 1 further comprising a stabilizer fabricated to effectively capture and stabilize a portion of the working end attachment when positioned for transport.
 12. The bracket assembly of claim 11 wherein the stabilizer is remotely located from the mounting assembly.
 13. The bracket assembly of claim 11 wherein the stabilizer further includes at least one mounting orifice.
 14. The bracket assembly of claim 11 wherein the stabilizer is substantially U shaped.
 15. A method for transporting an articulated arm working end attachment comprising the steps of: mounting a bracket assembly to the underside of an articulating arm, the bracket assembly comprising a mounting assembly and a pivot piece assembly pivotally attached to the mounting assembly for rotatably engaging the working end attachment; extending and positioning the articulating arm to allow the pivot piece assembly to engage the working end attachment; and retracting and raising the articulating arm to allow the pivot piece assembly to lift the working end attachment to a transport position.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein the mounting assembly comprises a cylinder and the pivot piece assembly comprises two halves separated by at least one cross member, each half having a pivot pin orifice for receiving a pivot pin to pivotally attach the pivot piece assembly to the cylinder.
 17. The method of claim 15 further including the step of mounting a stabilizer to the underside of the articulating arm, the stabilizer positioned to engage the working end attachment in the transport position.
 18. The method of claim 15 further including the step of inserting a retaining pin into the pivot piece assembly to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the working end attachment.
 19. The method of claim 15 wherein the bracket assembly is removably attached.
 20. The method of claim 16 wherein the mounting assembly is mounted independent of the pivot piece assembly, the pivot piece assembly thereafter mounted to the mounting assembly in a separate step. 